92+ 2013 Ridge Pagani Ranch Zinfandel (Sonoma Valley) 1/22/16 ($36)
83% Zinfandel, 16% Alicante Bouschet, 1% Petite Sirah 14.8% alc
Color: Deep purple garnet. (3.0) Bouquet: Very ripe Zinberry, black cherry and black plum, even some black fig, combined with musky old vines concentration. Very hedonistic. (3.0) Body: Outstanding fruit balanced by acidity. Slight sweetness (a touch of residual sugar?) and a rich, silky mouthfeel. Heavyweight. (3.5) Flavor: Delicious!!! Ripe, old vines fruit for hedonists only. (3.5) Finish: Parallels flavor, but need time for the fruit to calm down. The sweetness is almost slightly icky at this point, but should integrate with time. (3.0)
Overall: A very ripe Pagani with hedonistic fruit, yet balanced by excellent acidity. The usual musky old vines flavors give it character. Despite the ripeness, it comes in at under 15% (might have a touch of residual sugar), which gives it a bit of elegance. When first opened, the ripe fruit overwhelmed everything else, but with extended air the acidity emerged to balance it out. So, needs time. Give it 3 years to integrate and then enjoy in the following 5 years, might even go longer. (16)
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